Monday, March 11, 2013

Notre Dame broke ground in 1163 and was completed in 1345. The official name was given to the cathedral in l862.

Notre Dame is known for is sculptures on the exterior and interior. The most famous figures are the Gargoyles.

GARGOYLE- THE ROOT FOR GARGLE

"GARGOUILLE" french word for throat

Latin word- gurgulio (throat) and gurgling

THE GARGOYLES ARE GENERALLY ''WATERSPOUTS' FOR THE CATHEDRAL TO

KEEP THE RAIN OFF THE BUILDING.

THE GARGOYLES THAT ARE NOT WATERSPOUTS ARE CALLED 'GROTESQUE"

DOGS ARE SYMBOLS OF TEMPTATION. IN THE KITCHEN WHEN THE FOOD IS BEING PREPARED A DOG WILL BE TEMPTED TO STEAL A MORSEL OF FOOD. THEY ARE GOD'S CREATURES, HOWEVER, WILL BE FORGIVEN FOR THEIR MISDEEDS.

MOST PEOPLE OF THE TIME WERE ILLITERATE, THE SAINTS AND SYMBOLS OF THE EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR HELPED THE PEOPLE LEARN ABOUT THE STORIES OF CHRISTIANITY. THE GARGOYLES WERE ALSO USED AS PROTECTORS AGAINST EVIL AND ENCOURAGED PEOPLE TO FEEL SAFE TO ENTER THE CHURCH.

LA GARGOUILLE- IS A MYTHOLOGICAL CREATURE. HE WAS A REPITLIAN WITH A LONG NECK AND SLENDER SNOUT AND MEMBEROUS WINGS. HE LIVED IN A CAVE NEAR THE RIVER SEINE. HE WAS VERY DESTRUCTIVE, FIERY, SPROUTING WATER AND DEVOURING SHIPS AND MEN.

THE GARGOYLE WAS PLACATED BY GIVEN OFFERINGS OF VICTIMS. USUALLY THEY WERE CRIMINALS BUT LA GARGOUILLE PREFERED MAIDENS.

ST. ROMANIS IN 600 DECIDED TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE BY ASKING THEM TO BE BAPTIZED AND BUILD A CHURCH. WHEN ST. ROMANIS CONFRONTED THE GARGOYLE HE DID THE SIGN OF CROSS AND PUT A LEASH AROUND HIS NECK WITH HIS ROBE BELT.

LA GARGOUILLE WAS BURNED AT THE STAKE, HOWEVER HIS HEAD AND NECK WERE TEMPERED (FIRE PROOF) THE GARGOYLE'S HEAD AND NECK WERE MOUNTED AND PLACED ON THE TOWN SQUARE.

1. As this Gargoyle finds himself perched on the top of Notre Dame Cathedral, what thoughts do you think go through his mind on a daily basis? (He has been in the same spot for almost 1000years)

2. Most of the Gargoyles at NOTRE Dame were used as decorative and practical elements. What kind of animal or image would you use throughout the cathedral as a lasting image/images?

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3. The images were like hierogylphics, designed to encourage the people of Paris to enter the church. Because most people were illiterate, they needed symbols for the divine information. What do you think is being transmitted on the doorway of the cathedral?﻿

Friday, March 1, 2013

RAYMOND PETTIBON ( 1957 TUCSON, AZ) Lives in Venice Beach, California
-orginally named Raymond Ginn.
-Grew up in Hermosa Beach, CA
-earned economics degree from UCLA 1977-taught in LA public schools as math teacher for a short time
-known for being part of the punk rock band "Black Flag"/his brother guitarist/songwriter Greg Ginn.
Raymond played bass. (1980's LA punk scene)
-He designed the "Black Flag" logo
-Pettibon (nickname petit bon (good little one) given to him by father

-works on paper also combine drawn images and text, borrowed from literature and text written by Raymond.

Compare and contrast

What are the obvious similarities between Pettibon's image and Goya's? What kind of brutality is being demonstrated? How effective is Pettibon's portrayal with black and white lines vs Goya's painted images?

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2. What kind of emotions are portrayed in the Blake image and the Pettibon image that are similiar?

Where is the feeling of futility expressed in both images?

3. What kind of political messages do you think are being portrayed by the dog image and the text?

How does the text amplify the image?

4. What is meant by the expression "He's as dumb as a rock"? What is the message the Pettibon is trying to communicate with this drawing? What kind of feelings do you think dirt/earth has?

About Me

Painter, mixed-media artist,mural designer, art reviews and articles, art curator,art educator.
My inspirations and influences have been my teachers from first grade through graduate school. My seventh grade english teacher, Mrs. Morgan lead the way and opened the doors wide open when she introduced poetry, literature and art to a kid that had never been to an art museum. Our field trip to the University of Arizona Art Museum was transformational. At the museum I discovered Mark Rothko and one of his color field paintings. It was in shades of chartruese,and sea foam (as I recall). This field trip changed my life. I am deeply grateful to teachers like Mrs. Morgan-someone I have always tried to emmulate.